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What's Florida's best boardwalk?

Florida's beaches are famous. They lure the cold weather weary and put the sparkle in the Sunshine State. But the sands that edge the Atlantic from Amelia Island in the northeast south to Miami and beyond

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Florida's beaches are famous. They lure the cold weather weary and put the sparkle in the Sunshine State. But the sands that edge the Atlantic from Amelia Island in the northeast south to Miami and beyond differ from those that stretch along the Gulf Coast from Fort Walton Beach in the northwest's panhandle to Marco Island in the southwest.

USA TODAY celebrates Florida's beaches with an east coast-west coast smackdown. Like all classic choices — tea or coffee, dogs or cats — each pick has its ardent proponents.

"Dr. Beach," a.k.a. Stephen Leatherman, professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, Miami, assisted us in selecting contenders in five categories.

Built in 1926 and extensively renovated in 2008, the "broadwalk," a beach level path with unobstructed ocean views, stretches for 2.5 miles. "It's very pleasant," says Leatherman. "You can ride bikes, go inline skating and stroll."

Not only is walking a time-honored tradition here, but the upgrades to the seaside avenue some 30 feet wide include bicycling lanes and a crushed-shell jogging path. Hotels, pizza parlors, cafes and restaurants line the route and there are free outdoor concerts several nights a week. Among the oldest festivals held along the broadwalk is the 58th annual Candy Cane Parade, Dec. 7, and among the newer events is the Pro Footvolley (a cross between soccer and volleyball) Tour Hollywood Beach Open, Feb. 13-16. The American Planning Association, in October, named the broadwalk one of the top 10 public places in America.

Pier 60 Clearwater Beach, Fl, juts out into the Gulf. Visitors can fish from the 1,080-foot pier as well as enjoy nightly sunset festivals with street performers and crafters.(Photo: Nick Collura)

Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach

Fishing is just part of the fun at Clearwater's iconic 1,080-foot pier and park. "People stroll the pier," says Leatherman, "It's the place to see and be seen. And in ways it's better than a boardwalk because you get to walk out into the Gulf."

Every evening, weather permitting, Sunsets at Pier 60 hosts a free, family-friendly street fair that starts about two hours before dark. Magicians, stilt walkers, break dancers and other street performers strut their stuff while potters, jewelers, candlemakers and other crafters sell their wares. On some nights bands perform and on others, after the main feature — striking sunsets over the water — movies are shown.